Fruit gripping device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a fruit grip assembly comprising a rod with a handle on each end. A first handle is permanently attached to a rod and a second handle is removably attached to the opposite end of the rod, allowing for a piece of fruit to be impaled by the rod, such that it is between the first and second handles. A method for consuming a piece of fruit is also provided for using the fruit grip assembly of the present invention.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/341,666, filed on Apr. 2, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

It is often difficult for children, the elderly and disabled persons to grip whole fruit in a way that allows easy consumption. Products available include skewers for kabobs, corn holders for consuming ears of corn, and apple corer/peelers; however, these products are usually clumsy, do not hold the food tightly allowing easy consumption, and use sharp protrusions that easily disengages from the food and can injure the user.

Skewers are usually a long, thin, metal rod with at least one sharp end used for cooking food that is strung along the metal rod. The sharp ends on a skewer make them a danger to children and the elderly. Skewers are primarily used for cooking food and are not meant to be used as a utensil. Further, skewers do not contain a gripping mechanism where one could easily use a skewer as a utensil for eating food impaled on the skewer.

Similarly, corn holders come in pairs and are handles that contain sharp protrusions suitable for piercing the fibrous core of an ear of corn but can easily disengage from the corn if proper pressure by the user is not applied leaving the sharp protrusions exposed. These types of corn holders are inappropriate for fruit and other food because they do not stay engaged in the fruit or food. Further, children, the elderly and disabled persons have a high probability of injury when using a device with sharp protrusions that does not stay engaged in the flesh of the fruit or food.

Various apple corer, peeler, and slicing devices are available which retain a fruit, such as an apple, in order to provide an easier means to peel or slice an apple. These devices contain sharp blades and or protrusions that aid in the peeling, cutting, or slicing of an apple, making them unsuitable for use as a food utensil. Children using these types of devices would have a high risk of injury from a blade or other cutting or peeling device.

What is needed in the art is a way for children, the elderly and disabled persons to grasp whole fruit and fruit kabobs to allow easy consumption of the fruit, without the risk of injury. Further, what is needed is a fun and safe way for children to consume a whole piece of fruit.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art by providing a fruit holder with a grip assembly for a piece of fruit or other food product. The fruit grip assembly of the present invention allows children, the elderly and disabled persons to easily grip and consume a whole piece of fruit or a kabob of pieces of fruit.

The gripping device of the present invention generally provides for a fruit holder with a gripping assembly for easy handling that includes a rod attached to one or more handles, wherein one end of the rod is permanently affixed to a first handle and the opposite end of the rod engages a removably attachable second handle, forming the fruit grip assembly. Projections may be located on the handle permanently affixed to the rod. The projections are preferably used to engage the fruit such that it does not rotate. Preferably, the rod engages the second handle using a threading mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for a fruit gripping assembly that includes a rod attached to one or more handles, wherein both opposing ends of the rod each engage a removably attachable handle. In this embodiment, both of the handles may have projections to engage the fruit or neither of the handles may have projections to engage the fruit. Preferably, the rod engages the handles through the use of a threading mechanism, but the rod may also engage the handles using a snap fit or push button attachment mechanism. Removal of the handles allows for easy cleanup by a user after use.

The present invention provides for a method of using the fruit grip assembly to consume one or more pieces of fruit. The method preferably comprises the steps of using a rod with a permanently affixed first handle to impale one or more pieces of fruit, removably attaching a second handle to the opposite end of the rod, such that the one or more pieces of fruit are captured between the first and second handles, and holding onto the handles to grip and consume the fruit. The handle permanently attached to the rod preferably has one or more projections extending therefrom to pierce into and secure the fruit and prevent the fruit from rotating.

A further aspect of the present invention provides for a method of using the fruit grip assembly to consume one or more pieces of fruit using an embodiment of the fruit grip assembly where a first and a second handle are engaged removably at each end of the rod. In this aspect, the method preferably comprises the steps of using a rod to impale one or more pieces of fruit, removably attaching a handle at each opposing end of the rod, and holding onto the handles to grip and consume the fruit. The handles are preferably free from projections in this aspect and a threading mechanism is used to secure the handles, as the handles are engaged by the threading mechanism the handles come in contact and engage the fruit, whereby providing pressure on the fruit such that it is secured and does not rotate.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1: is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fruit grip assembly where one handle is permanently affixed and the other handle is removably attached using a threading mechanism;

FIG. 2: is an exploded view of the fruit grip assembly of FIG. 1, where one handle is detached;

FIG. 3: is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fruit grip assembly where one handle is attached to the rod using a snap fit or push button mechanism;

FIG. 4: is an exploded view of an additional embodiment of the fruit grip assembly where both handles can be removably attached; and

FIG. 5: is a perspective view of the fruit grip assembly gripping a piece of fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The fruit grip assembly 2 as depicted in FIG. 1, comprises a rod 1 with a handle 5 on each end. In one embodiment, a first handle 7 is permanently affixed to one end 3 of the rod 1 and a second handle 6 is removably attached to the other end 4 of the rod, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Preferably, the second handle 6 is attached to the end 4 of the rod 1 by a threading mechanism 15. In certain embodiments, the handle 7 that is permanently affixed to one end of the rod 1 has one or more projections 8 extending therefrom. These projections 8 can be used to secure the fruit and keep it from rotating around the rod while in use. It is optional that the end of the rod 20 used for impaling the fruit has a tapered end 23 to more easily push the rod through the fruit. The end of the rod 20 can be any configuration that allows the fruit to be impaled. The rod 1 is preferably smooth in the center 16 with a portion on one end that has grooves 15 through which the end is threaded onto a handle 5. FIG. 5 illustrates the fruit grip assembly 2 securing a piece of fruit 30, with a handle 5 on both ends.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the fruit grip assembly 2, as depicted in FIG. 3, comprises a rod 1 where a first handle 7 is permanently affixed to the rod 1 and where a second handle 6 is removably attached to the other end 4 of the rod 1. In this embodiment, one or both of the handles 5 may include projections 8 to secure the fruit and keep it from rotating. However, these projections 8 are not required. Any of several types of fasteners known in the art may be used to removably attach the second handle 7 to the rod 1. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism 21 is a snap closure. In an alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism 21 is any attachment mechanism known in the art including but not limited to a push button closure, wherein a button 25 is located on the second handle 6 in order to remove and/or secure the second handle 6 to the rod 1. Preferably, each handle 5 in this embodiment, includes one or more projections 8 for holding the fruit 30 in place and to keep the fruit from rotating. It is preferred that the entire rod 1 be smooth 18 excluding any indentations or protrusions used for a snap fit mechanism, push button mechanism, or other fastener.

In an additional embodiment of the fruit grip assembly 2, as shown in FIG. 4, a handle 5 can be removably attached at each opposing end of the rod 1. The handles 5 can be attached and detached using a threading mechanism 12, 15. The handles 5 could also be attached and detached using any type of fastener 21 known in the art, as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment the handles 5 are configured as identical handles that can be interchanged for attachment to either end of the rod. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is preferred that the handles 5 be free from projections, as the pressure on the fruit created from attaching the handles 5 to the rod 1 is preferably sufficient to hold the fruit in place 31 and keep it from rotating. The rod 1 is preferably smooth 27 in the center with a grooves 15 for a threading mechanism on one or both ends 4, 3. These grooves are also present in the inside 12 of one or more handles 5.

A method for consuming fruit using the fruit grip assembly 2 of the present invention is also provided. Preferably, the rod with a permanently affixed handle 14 impales a piece of fruit or food product 30. The rod 1 preferably contains grooves 15 suited for a threading mechanism 15, 12 on the free end 4 of the rod 1. After the fruit 30 is impaled onto the rod 1, a second handle 6 with a threading mechanism inside 12 the handle 6 attaches via a female/male attachment via a screw configuration from the handle to the rod 11. The act of attaching the second handle 6 to the rod 1 secures the fruit or food product in between the handles 5 so that the fruit 30 can then be consumed using the fruit grip assembly 2 of the present invention.

In an additional embodiment, a method for consuming fruit using the fruit grip assembly of the present invention is provided for. Preferably, the rod 1 is used to impale a piece of fruit 30 or food product. Next, it is preferred that a first handle 5 is engaged with one end 4 of the rod 1 forming a removable attachment and then a second handle 5 communicates with and engages the opposing end 3 of the rod 1 forming a removable attachment. The act of attaching the handles 5 to the rod 1 secures the fruit 30 or food product in between the handles 5 so a user can consume the fruit using the fruit grip assembly 2 of the present invention.

The handles 5 preferably provide a griping device for a person using the fruit grip assembly 2 of the present invention. Preferably, the rod 1, is permanently affixed to a first handle 7, impales one or more pieces of fruit and then the opposite end of the rod 4 engages a removably attachable second handle 6, such that the fruit 30 has a handle 5 on each end. The fruit grip assembly 2 allows a user to more easily grasp and consume the fruit. The fruit grip is especially designed and useful for children, the elderly, and the disabled. Further, it is more fun for children to eat fruit using the device of the present invention and provides easier cleanup.

The handles 5 can be of any size and shape suitable to be grasped by a human hand. Preferably, the handles 5 are about 1 to 5 inches long, more preferably about 1.5 to 4 inches long, still more preferably about 2 to 3.5 inches long, and most preferably, about 3 inches long. The handles 5 can be made from any food safe material known in the art. Preferably, the handles 5 are made from a material selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, polymers, wood, metal, minerals, and combinations thereof. A combination of a metal handle with a rubber overlay is especially preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, the handles 5 are shaped and suited for the hand of a child. The design of the handle allows a user to easily grasp the fruit grip assembly that holds the fruit or food product. In a most preferred embodiment, the handles are bell-shaped 11 and can be easily grasped by a child. In this embodiment, the handles preferably comprise one or more indentations sized to fit a child's fingers. Preferably, the handles 5 are ergonomically appropriate for a human to use, more preferably, the handles 5 are ergonomically appropriate for a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual. In a preferred embodiment, the handles are shaped such that the surface area of the handle that contacts the fruit has a convex shape to further conform to a round piece of fruit, such as an apple. In another embodiment, the handle may include indicia or any material such as rubber, foam, or pliable plastic on the surface of the handle that will communicate with and engage the surface of the fruit. The material or protrusions on the handle surface is such that it will hold the fruit in place while a consumer is eating minimizing the rotation movement of the fruit while on the rod. It is preferred that the handles 5 be of an identical shape and size, however this is not required. Identically shaped and sized handles allow for the handles to be interchangeable. The handles according to the present invention may be shaped and sized to any configuration known in the industry to accommodate the ability of the user.

The fruit grip assembly 2 preferably comprises two handles 5, one on each end of the rod 1. In one embodiment, a first handle 7 is permanently affixed to the rod 1, while a second handle 6 is removably connected to the opposite end 4 of the rod. In a second embodiment, both handles 5 can be removably attached to each of the respective ends 3, 4 of the rod. The handles 5 may also have one or more projections 8 extending therefrom in order to secure the fruit 30 onto the fruit grip assembly 2, such that it cannot rotate. The projections 8 are configured to engage the fruit or food product by penetrating the outside surface of the fruit. These one or more projections 8 may be present on one handle (see FIGS. 1 and 2), may be present on both handles (see FIG. 3), or may be present on neither handle (see FIG. 4). Each handle 5 preferably has 0-4 projections, more preferably, 1-3 projections, and most preferably 2 projections. Preferably, these projections 8 are sharp enough to grasp the fruit, but dull enough to not cause harm to a person using the fruit grip assembly.

The fruit grip assembly 2 includes a rod 1 configured to impale a fruit or food product allowing a consumer to easily consume the food. The rod 1 can be made of any material suitable for contacting food. The material is preferably a non-corrosive material. The material is preferably easy to clean. Preferably, the rod 1 is made from any material known in the industry including, but not limited to, a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, plastic, or combinations thereof. Most preferably, the rod is made of stainless steel. The rod for use with the fruit grip assembly is preferably a length that is appropriate for the type of fruit being gripped by the fruit grip assembly and the age and/or abilities of the person using the fruit grip assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the rod is from about 2 inches to about 12 inches, more preferably from about 3 inches to about 10 inches, still more preferably from about 3.5 inches to about 8 inches, with the most preferred length being about 4 inches. The diameter of the rod is preferably from about 1/16 to ¾0 inches, more preferably from about ⅛ to ½ inches, and most preferably about 3/16 inches in diameter. The rod 1 may have a tapered end 20 for use in impaling the fruit or the end of the rod may be blunt 28. The end of the rod is configured to allow a user to impale the fruit on the rod, but it is also important that the end is not too sharp to create a danger to a child if the handle is disengaged. Any shape known in the industry that allows the end to pierce the flesh of a fruit, whereby impaling the fruit can be configured on the rod's end. The rod 1 may be smooth throughout 18 or may have indentations, threading 15, or other types of groves either throughout the entire rod or only on certain portions of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, where the rod threads onto one or more handles, it is preferred that the rod be smooth in the center 27, with a threaded portion 15 on one or both ends of the rod. The length of the threaded portion of the rod is preferably from 0.25 to 2 inches, more preferably, from about 0.5 to 1.5 inches, still more preferably from about 0.7 to 1 inch, and most preferably ¾ inch on one or both ends of the rod.

The attachment of the rod 1 to one or more handles 5 can include any complimentary mechanisms configured to allow the rod to engage the handle creating an attachment, any mechanism known in the industry may be used, including, but not limited to, threading mechanisms, snap fit attachments, push button attachments, a batten, brass fastener, captive fastener, clamp, clasp, cleko, clip, clutch, flange, frog, grommet, nail, peg, pin, retaining ring, rivet, screw anchor, self-clinching, snap, strap, track, threaded fastener, tie, toggle, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the rod has a threading mechanism 15 on one or both ends that is also present inside 12 of one or more handles such that the end of the rod and one or more handles 5 can be attachably screwed to the rod. In an embodiment where one end of the rod is permanently affixed to a first handle 14, it is preferred that the handle that is permanently affixed 7 to the rod 1 comprises one or more projections 8 and the handle 6 that attachably screws onto the rod 1 be free of such projections 13. An embodiment, where both handles are free from projections (see FIG. 4), preferably includes a threading mechanism 15, 12 to affix one or both of the handles 5 to the rod 1, such that the pressure created by screwing the handles to the rod engages the fruit with the handle 31 and holds the fruit in place and keeps it from rotating. In an alternatively embodiment, the rod 1 and one or more handles 5 attach through the use of a snap fit mechanism, where the rod 1 has grooves or other indentations that allow the inside of the handle to snap attachably to the rod. In this embodiment, it would be preferred that the rod 1 be smooth throughout 18, with the exception of grooves suited for a snap fit mechanism. While any type of snap fit known in the art will work for purposes of the present invention, the snap fit is preferably selected from the group consisting of an annular snap fit, a cantilever snap fit, a molding snap fit, or any snap fit using a socket, stud, prong or post. In an additionally preferred embodiment, the rod 1 and one or both handles 5 attach through the use of a fastening mechanism that incorporates the use of a release mechanism such as a push button 25, wherein one or more handles incorporates a push button to release the handle from the rod when it is attached or where the handle incorporates a push button that allows the handle to attach and release from the rod.

The fruit grip assembly 2 preferably grips a piece of food or fruit 30 between a first handle 5 and a second handle 5. The fruit grip assembly of the present invention and its method of use are not limited to fruit, any type of food that can be impaled and engaged on a rod between two handles will work for purposes of the present invention, including, but not limited to, meat, vegetables, tofu and other soy products, bread products, baked goods, and combinations thereof. Any type of fruit will work for purposes of the present invention, including, but not limited to, apples, pears, oranges, peaches, kiwis, bananas, mangos, apricots cherries, grapes, melons, nectarines, plums, pineapple, strawberries, tangerines, and combinations thereof. The fruit grip assembly may be used for a whole piece of fruit, such as an apple, or for pieces of fruit. In one embodiment, several types of fruit pieces may be placed on the rod of the fruit grip assembly to form a fruit kabob. In a most preferred embodiment, the fruit grip assembly is used for a whole piece of fruit, such as an apple, as whole fruit is usually harder for children, the elderly, and the disabled to grasp and eat.

Thus, a fruit grip assembly and method of using have been described. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications to the support structure method for using are possible, and also such changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates one using the fruit grip assembly of the present invention.

Materials and Methods

The materials used were a fruit grip assembly of the present invention including a metal rod with a handle permanently affixed to one end. This permanently affixed handle had 2 projections extending therefrom. The rod was 4 inches long with a threading mechanism on the last ¾ of the end of the rod not permanently affixed to the handle. The metal rod was used to impale an apple. Next, a second handle, with a threading mechanism inside, was screwed onto the threading mechanism on the end of the rod. This resulted in the fruit being grasped between the two handles.

Results and Conclusion

The handles of the fruit grip assembly were easily grasped by a child. The fruit grip assembly held the apple in place as the child consumed it, such that it did not rotate about the rod. The child was able to easily consume the fruit, thought it was a fun way to eat fruit, and provided for easy cleanup. 

1. A fruit grip assembly comprising a rod and two handles, wherein a first handle is permanently affixed to a first end of the rod and a second handle is removably attached to an opposite end of the rod.
 2. The fruit grip assembly of claim 1, wherein the second handle is removably attached using a threading mechanism.
 3. The fruit grip assembly of claim 1, wherein the second handle is removably attached using a snap fit mechanism.
 4. The fruit grip assembly of claim 1, wherein the second handle is removably attached using a push button mechanism.
 5. The fruit grip assembly of claim 1, wherein the second handle has one or more projections extending therefrom used to secure the fruit within the fruit grip assembly.
 6. The fruit grip assembly of claim 1, wherein the rod is made of stainless steel.
 7. The fruit grip assembly of claim 1, wherein the rod has a tapered end for use in impaling a piece of fruit.
 8. The fruit grip assembly of claim 2, wherein the pressure created by the threading mechanism secures a piece of fruit between the first and second handles such that the piece of fruit does not rotate.
 9. A fruit grip assembly comprising a rod and two handles, wherein a first handle is removably attached to a first end of the rod and a second handle is removably attached to an opposite end of the rod.
 10. The fruit grip assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second handles are removably attached using an attachment mechanism selected from the group consisting of a threading mechanism, a snap fit mechanism, a push button mechanism, or combinations thereof.
 11. The fruit grip assembly of claim 10, wherein the pressure created by the threading mechanism secures a piece of fruit between the first and second handles such that the piece of fruit does not rotate.
 12. A method of using a fruit grip assembly to consume fruit comprising the steps of: a. using a rod with a permanently affixed first handle to impale one or more pieces of fruit; b. removably attaching a second handle to the opposite end of the rod, such that the one or more pieces of fruit are captured between the first and second handles; and c. holding both the first handle and the second handle to grip and consume the fruit.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second handle is removably attached using a threading mechanism.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the second handle is removably attached using an attachment mechanism selected from the group consisting of a threading mechanism, a snap fit mechanism, a push button mechanism, or combinations thereof.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the rod is made of stainless steel.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the rod has a tapered end.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the pressure created by the threading mechanism secures a piece of fruit between the first and second handles such that the piece of fruit does not rotate.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first handle has one or more projections extending therefrom to secure a piece of fruit within the fruit grip assembly. 